Kinda comparing apples and oranges with Thrower and Ellis. Two different styles, both efficient....it's never a problem to have too many good defense prospects.

Maybe so but there are only 6 to 7 regular D men that play in a game. Just saying that Thrower brings the intangibles you can't teach, skill, natural ability to skate & a willingness to play tough & back it up!!! Plus he is still growing.

What it seems he lacks in is defensive positioning, which is much easier taught then the aforementioned.

IMO, Thrower is a smaller version of Souray, but with the ability to skate, while Ellis is a larger version of Josh Gorges, maybe lacking some of JoGo's tenacity.

Thing is Ellis can fight too and put up big numbers when he was moved to a good team. He played half the Memorial cup and was very effective. I wouldn't discount anyone yet... But spots are going to be ultra competitive now. Nice balance as well between right handed and left handed shots.

One comment that stands out is that Bergevin mentioned he saw him at the Top Prospects Game and was thoroughly impressed with his toughness and character. He then said that if he was available "there was no way we were passing on him." This suggests that Bergevin is looking for tough, gritty, solid defensive defenseman.

One comment that stands out is that Bergevin mentioned he saw him at the Top Prospects Game and was thoroughly impressed with his toughness and character. He then said that if he was available "there was no way we were passing on him." This suggests that Bergevin is looking for tough, gritty, solid defensive defenseman.

And good on him, 'cause this guy fits the bill and has skill. Skills to pay the bills, one might say.

Thing is Ellis can fight too and put up big numbers when he was moved to a good team. He played half the Memorial cup and was very effective. I wouldn't discount anyone yet... But spots are going to be ultra competitive now. Nice balance as well between right handed and left handed shots.

Tinordi, Beaulieu: Lefties
Dietz, Thrower, Ellis: Righties

I'm not sure Ellis will fight in the NHL, he wasn't inclined to it in junior so i doubt he drops the mitts more than or twice per season at best.

I live in Saskatoon and probably went to see 5 or 6 Blades games last year to see Dietz. Each time I would come away impressed with Thrower and quite honestly at the start of the year Thrower was on the top pairing and Dietz on the 2nd pairing and likely in at least 1/2 those games Thrower played better than Dietz (I was there the game Dietz scored 4 goals and just missed a 5th).

Thrower isn't tall at just 6', but he moves well, is a good passer and has a rocket of a shot. Hi weaknesses are his defensive game, but I don't think that is abnormal for an 18 year old. My opinion is that if he was 6'2 he would have been a top 15 pick this year. His offensive game really exploded around December/January and was putting up huge numbers for quite a while.

A note about his defense...near the end of the season the Blades defense was decimated with injuries, and for quite a while they had 3 or 4 regular defensemen playing, with 1 forward playing D and one 15 year old call up. Both Dietz and Thrower were playing 30mins a night for probably around an 8 game stretch. The one game I saw, the Blades we killing a penalty in a tight game with about 10 mins left in the 3rd. Dietz and Thrower played the entire 2 mins of the penalty kill. So while people may bring up concerns about his defensive game, understand that he was still relied on heavily by the Blades this last year.

Great pick in my opinion, I wanted him at 33, I'm estatic that we got him at 51!

One comment that stands out is that Bergevin mentioned he saw him at the Top Prospects Game and was thoroughly impressed with his toughness and character. He then said that if he was available "there was no way we were passing on him." This suggests that Bergevin is looking for tough, gritty, solid defensive defenseman.

You forgot the key part. Bergevin said he was impressed because Thrower went after giant Tom Wilson in that game and fought him.